Daniel 11:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before.

NIV: "At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before.

NASB: At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before.

CSB: "At the appointed time he will come again to the South, but this time will not be like the first.

NLT: Then at the appointed time he will once again invade the south, but this time the result will be different.

KJV: At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

NKJV: “At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter.

These events are part of a prophecy recorded in 536 BC by Daniel (Daniel 10:1). Though many of the events are tragic, they are not presented as chaotic. Rather, God is always aware and, ultimately, in control. Recent verses introduced the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21–28). Here, his return to make war on Egypt is credited to God's "appointed" timing.

In prior conflicts, Antiochus and his Seleucid Empire could make aggressive movements against Egypt without worrying about Egypt's trade partner, the Roman Empire. For a time, Rome was preoccupied with Macedonia. Antiochus defeated Egypt in several conflicts, reducing the nation to a puppet state. Yet he did not have the resources to occupy and absorb all of Egypt. Shortly after a victory and a stop at Jerusalem to raid the temple treasury (Daniel 11:25–28), Antiochus planned another assault on Egypt.

As noted here, this attempt was not successful. History again confirms Daniel's words. As they entered Egypt, a Roman delegation met Antiochus's forces. This would result in a humiliating return and a vengeful attack on the temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 11:30–33).

Daniel 11:21–35 continues from a series of prophecies about many rulers over many decades. In contrast, this segment's predictions focus on a single ruler and his hateful actions against Egypt and Israel. History knows this figure as Antiochus IV Epiphanes: one of the Jewish people's most vicious and hated persecutors.

This chapter is most easily understood in terms of the historical events which it predicts. These include the conflicts between Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleucid Empire up through the second century BC. This mentions the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes and what eventually became the Maccabean Revolt. The last portion of prophecy looks to the end times: blasphemous rulers, an invasion from the north, and a major defeat.

Daniel is receiving a prophecy, in an encounter which began in chapter 10. The substance of that prophecy is mostly given in chapter 11. This predicts the major events relating to Judea leading up to the conquest of the Roman Empire. It also begins to speak of end-times events. This leads to chapter 12 and the final prophetic remarks given to Daniel. Chapter 11 connects to other prophetic segments of Scripture such as Ezekiel 38 and Joel 2. Occurrences recorded here are also used by Jesus to depict end times events (Matthew 24:15).

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.